Conor McGregor Found Liable for Assaulting Woman in Civil Court
A jury in Ireland's High Court has delivered a significant verdict against renowned martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, finding him liable for assaulting Nikita Hand, a woman who had accused him of raping her at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. The court mandated McGregor to pay approximately €250,000 (around £210,000) in damages to Hand, also known as Nikita Ní Laimhín.
The jury, comprised of eight women and four men, spent more than six hours deliberating before reaching their decision. During the trial, Hand's legal counsel detailed the traumatic aftermath of the alleged assault, mentioning that when she sought care at a sexual assault treatment unit the day following the incident, the attending physician was so alarmed by her injuries that he ordered photographs to be taken.
McGregor, 36, steadfastly denied the allegations, maintaining that any encounter with Hand was consensual. He refuted claims of inflicting bruising and characterized Hand's accusations as exaggerated and fabricated. The former UFC champion, once celebrated as one of the highest-paid athletes globally with an estimated net worth of €200 million, described the allegations as being 'full of lies verging on fantasy.'
The court heard testimony that Hand and a friend initially reached out to McGregor after a Christmas party. She claimed they were subsequently driven by McGregor to a party hosted in a penthouse suite at a hotel in South Dublin, where they consumed drugs and alcohol. According to Hand, McGregor then took her to a bedroom in the penthouse and sexually assaulted her. Hand's lawyer stressed that she was on antidepressants and other substances during the alleged incident.
On the day of the verdict, McGregor appeared in court accompanied by a significant contingent of family and supporters, including his partner Dee Devlin, his mother Margaret, and his sister Aoife, as well as his boxing trainer Philip Sutcliffe. As the verdict was announced, McGregor reportedly breathed heavily and audibly, holding hands with his loved ones, who remained by his side throughout the proceedings.
Nikita Hand, age 35 and a hair colorist, pursued this civil lawsuit primarily to seek vindication after the Director of Public Prosecution opted not to pursue a criminal case against McGregor, citing insufficient prospects for a conviction. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in a case that has both captivated and divided public opinion, as it shines a light on issues of sexual violence and accountability in the realm of high-profile sports figures.
Related Sources: